Elizabeth Gilbert (continued)

Continued from an earlier post:   Just wow.  Her way with words.

Dear Ones:

It's been two weeks since I lost my beloved partner Rayya. I wanted to reach out in thanks to all of you — friends, family, and "strangers" (whatever that word even means) — who have sent me so much love and support. Together, you have created an ocean of mercy for me right now. Thank you so much.

In return, I offer you THIS: a video that brings me delight every time I watch it. This was my Rayya just a few months ago, riding on a friend's boat, rocking out in pleasure to a favorite old song. THIS is who Rayya was: a terminally ill woman, dying far too young, living with pain and fear and sadness and stubbornness, about to lose everything...but STILL capable of accessing portals of purest joy and abandon. (Please take special note of her badass moves with the cane, by the way. Fabulousness embodied. That's my rock star.)

I turned my life inside out when Rayya was diagnosed. I spent every bit of my time and energy and love on her. I would do it all again, exactly the same way. My heart is in shards right now, but sometimes that's just how hearts need to be. ("Gamble everything for love, if you are a true human being," taught Rumi. "If not, leave this gathering.")

I will be rejoining the world now — entering the larger gathering once more. I'll see you out there, and I'll see you in here, too, on social media. I have no idea who I will be on the other side of this loss, but that's ok; somehow I will find out. Right now, I know only these three things to be true:

1. There's no going back — only forward.
2. It was all worth it.
3. Rayya, who always loved the music, has now BECOME the music.❤️

Onward,
LG